That’s “hello” in Thai. So, sawadee khap and welcome to the second issue of the FIBER journal! In this issue, we take a close look at Thailand and its growing apparel industry, thanks to insights from Mr. Pramode Vidtayasuk, Director General of Thailand’s Department of Industrial Promotion, Ambassador William Itoh, former U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, and leading academics and labor monitors. As an “emerged market,” Thailand offers real opportunities for American and international apparel firms interested in sourcing products with distinctive "Thai Style." It also offers a growing market of middle-class consumers interested in buying established and rising apparel brands. Click on the “Around the World” section to learn more about Thailand’s place in the post-quota international apparel market. We hope you learn a lot about the “Land of Smiles” in the process.

Could the U.S. (re)join Thailand as a source of production for unique apparel items? We asked this question of two leading industry players and their responses may surprise you. Check out the “Industry Highlights” section of the journal for their articles, and when you finish reading them, take our readers' poll to let us know what you think about the prospects for a renaissance of U.S. apparel production.

And, there’s more in this issue that will keep you reading and thinking. Lynda Grose takes a look at sustainability from a designer’s point of view, and we offer new research on virtual communities in the fashion industry. Plus, the “Resources” section gives you links to organizations that can help your business or research grow. We’re glad to have you as a reader and welcome your feedback. Contact
us at fiberjournal@udel.edu!

The FIBER (Fashion International Business Education Response) project is an outreach initiative led by the University of Delaware and funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Our mission is to showcase fashion and apparel markets around the world, share the insights of leaders in the industry and the latest academic research on critical issues, highlight opportunities for further education, and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, connecting members of our community around the globe.

Q&A

In this issue of FIBER, we gain insight into the Thai textile industry from two different perspectives.

Mr. Pramode Vidtayasuk, Director General of the Department of Industrial Promotion, Ministry of Industry, answers questions about the Thai government's efforts to assist the growing textile and apparel industry.

Dr. Foengfurad Mungtavesinsuk, Professor, Agro-Industry Faculty, Textile
Science and Technology Department, Kasetsart University, characterizes
the Thai apparel industry, how it has changed over the years, and the
challenges it faces for the future.

About one sixth of Thailand's 65 million inhabitants now live in and around the capital city of Bangkok.

and other parts of Asia. Its 3,200-kilometer
coastline boasts several important ports.Thai exports total more than $150 billion annually. Thailand is the world's top exporter of rice and a leading producer of tungsten and tin. Other top products include textiles and garments, fishery products, and computers and electronics.

The textile industry in Thailand produces the second largest amount of export revenue and generates employment for about 1 million Thais.